Have any unusual holiday food traditions at your house? Ours is lasagna on Christmas Eve. My boys can’t wait to come home to it again this year. Here’s the challenge: pasta’s not paleo…

Ut-oh.

This upcoming holiday season will be my first since going paleo.

My beautiful boys are looking forward to sitting down to their once-a-year Hallmark moment beside the yuletide fire with mom serving their favorite homemade holiday dish (we’re part Italian) of my full-on pasta and cheese lasagna.

My boys know I’d do absolutely anything for them. But in this case, I’m feeding them the paleo version.

They’re 20 years old, for crying out loud. They can man-up and eat my caveman cooking this time for goodness sake.

And you know what? They’re going to absolutely love it !!!

Here’s why…

I invested some time coming up with this 100% paleo lasagna, and I’ve got to say it’s incredibly good! I mean hard-to-tell-the-difference-from-the-real-thing good!

OK. So maybe I’m full of myself. But my Italian heritage is on the line here. I have a rep in my family for baking amazing lasagna. How can I not try to be as great with my 100% paleo version?

First I spent some time investigating the “nut cheeses.” I found out cashew cheese is a favorite with vegans. That can work for my lasagna.

It’s no secret paleo people have used nut cheeses in recipes before, but I really wanted the flavors to go perfectly together. I added salt, garlic and onion to it and was impressed with the flavor and consistency. I wanted something like ricotta cheese. A little blending in the food processor with some almond milk (I tried it with coconut milk, but didn’t like flavor) and bam! I’m in heaven.

I used zucchini as my lasagna noodles. I’m in love with everything zucchini right now, and it was awesome! Note: when you buy the zuchinni look for the fat ones. They’ll slice up into the wider noodles you want.

And I think you’ll find the rich and hearty meat sauce is to die for. It adds layers of authentic Italian flavor to every delicious bite of this gluten-free and dairy-free lasagna.

You need to try this one. It’s much easier than it looks. Granted you have to make the nut “cheese,” but after a good soaking in water and a quick whirl in the food processor, it’s done!

And for this one, you don’t have to cook the noodles – you just need to slice them. And only the “cheese” and sautéed mushrooms are “extra” steps. But it’s so worth it.

In a frying pan with a little olive oil, sauté mushrooms (with any kind of seasonings or parsley if you like)

Set sautéed mushrooms aside

Place thawed spinach in bowl, squeeze as much water out of it as possible

Set spinach aside

Drain water from the soaking cashews, and pour cashews into a food processor

Add almond milk and spices to the food processor

Pulse or blend until cashews become a smooth and creamy consistency (something like ricotta cheese)

Add 2 cups of the cashew "cheese" into the bowl with spinach and blend together

Preheat oven to 350-degrees F

Slice zucchini lengthwise, (first trim two opposite sides so it doesn't roll around on the board) Slice noodles about 1/4 inch thick (works by hand with a knife) don't worry about them all being the exact same thickness

Get out a 9 x12 pan

Smooth a little bit of the lasagna sauce along the bottom of the pan

Place one layer of zucchini noodles lengthwise across the bottom of the pan

Add about half of cashew cheese and spinach mixture along the top of the zucchini noodles layer

On top of that, add half of the pan of sautéed mushrooms

Top with lasagna sauce enough to cover the top (don't skimp, there'll be plenty)

Repeat the above steps with a second layer of zucchini noodles, cashew cheese and spinach, and again the sautéed mushrooms and lasanga sauce

Now bake uncovered for about 50-60 minutes (or until it starts to bubble around the edges)

I had to try this after reading so many positive reviews. I wasn’t disappointed. It is very tasty and I didn’t miss the cheese (thanks to the cashew mixture — my first time making it) or the noodles. There was a little too much thyme in the recipe for my tastes — an easy fix next time I make this. The prep time was actually far less than for regular lasagna since you don’t have to boil noodles. Next time I’ll double the sauce and freeze half to cut the prep time even more. Thanks for a great recipe!

This was absolutely amazing! I made this for my family tonight and my husband commented how he could not believe it did not have any cheese in it!! My four year daughter devoured two plates of it and my picky teen loved it!! Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful healthy paleo version of a classic pasta favorite in our home!! Yummo!!

I made this on Saturday and didn’t get a chance to eat it until today and I was super nervous. I was cracking up at my desk because it took me about 5 minutes before I took the first bite. I was nervous about the “cashew cheese”, but I must say I was very impressed and it was AMAZING. I love lasagna, but what was funny was that I couldn’t even tell there was no ricotta cheese or lasagna noodles. I don’t feel extra full and bloated either which is a definite plus. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.

Tiffanie, You are so funny! I’m so glad you took that first bite and gave this recipe a chance. It truly is one I spent a lot of time trying to get just right. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. :)

One of my favorite meals ever is lasagna so I was a bit skeptical to try this, assuming it would be good but not like the real thing. OMG! I am never making regular lasagna again, this is my new go to recipe! This is seriously, so so so delicious. My husband, who is not a fan of lasagna or any type of vegetable noodle replacement, really liked it! Bravo on such an amazing recipe, giving those trying to eat healthy a delicious alternative! PS- I never comment on recipes I try but HAD to since this was so amazing!

Hi Kaitlin, All I can say is WOW! Thank you so much for making an exception and letting me know you enjoyed the recipe. This one is close to my heart as lasagna loving Italian girl. I really wanted a lasagna that everyone could love. You made my day with your comment. Again, thank you. xo

This was amazing! I even got a “hell yeah” from my cheese and noodle loving husband! It was a little labor intensive, but any great lasagna usually is! I don’t even miss the noodles or cheese in here!! Thank you!

Hi I pinned this recipe a few weeks ago from one of my friend’s Pinterest Board. I just made it tonight, and the sauce is AMAZING! Best I have ever had! So delicious. I made the recipe exactly as written, except I used a pound of venison (its what I had and we like a lot of meat in our lasagna) instead of the 1/2 pound of grass fed beef. It was my first time with cashew “cheese” and I really liked it. Didn’t miss all the mozarella at all, because the sauce and mushrooms were so tasty! Thanks for your recipe. It gets 5 stars from me!

Thank you Debi! You made my day! I love it as well. I know it’s a little labor intensive, but any lasagna takes a little time. I really appreciate you stopping by to comment. This recipe has a special place in my heart. :)

Yum! I went to buy spaghetti squash but alas they were out. BUT, I used fresh sweet potato spirals madeby veggie noodle co. as a substitute,and they were great. They make zucchini spirals too! Wish I could insert a pic, but they’re organic and found in the produce section. Thank you for this delicious recipe, it was gone quickly!

I’ve been eyeing this recipe for awhile! My husband and I have been eating paleo for about two months. He’s Italian and his favorite meal is mama’s lasagna. One bite of this and he was wowed! He said it was better than his mom’s!! Score! Thanks for the amazing recipe! We enjoyed it so much – even the leftovers were fantastic!

You are a genius – this recipe is truly amazing! Twenty years ago I learned that I have an allergy to dairy (since birth, but who knew then) and have developed a gluten sensitivity. I’m on GAPS and was excited to see this recipe is legal. Wow, I was taken back to the days of eating ricotta in my lasagna. I haven’t eaten lasagna in years because honestly, it’s boring with only marinara and zucchini slices. Thank you for sharing your delicious recipes (I love your meatballs and marinara as well).

Asha, Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m happy to hear you can enjoy lasagna again. :) I really love this recipe too, especially for people like you. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. :)

Hi there! I’m just newly discovering the power of a raw cashews in dairy free cooking…So, WHOA! I made this last night for dinner and it is awesome! I salted , then drained the “Zoodles” in a colander for 2 hours (while I let the sauce simmer) then laid them flat on a paper towel lined cookie sheet and patted them dry with more paper towels…I added 1 Egg and 1/3 cup Nutritional Yeast to the Cashew “Cheese ” …. then baked for 1 hour at 350 and let sit for 15 mins before we cut in. It was not runny at all and a true test of will power to not eat it all. Thank you so much for the recipe! This is a keeper! I will look forward to trying more of your recipes!

I’m excited to try this tonight! I had great success in the past with using cauliflower/eggs to make a very amazing bechamel sauce. I got the idea off this guy’s blog: http://www.theironyou.com/2013/11/paleo-moussaka.html?m=1 I thought you might enjoy having another paleo option for ricotta! I was very impressed and really couldn’t tell much of a difference ;) Thanks for the yummy recipe!

I think your Italian reputation is safe! This is amazing! I’ve made it 4 times now and am about to make it again tonight. Even non-Paleo friends loved it!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been missing delicious Italian food since finding out I’m lactose intolerant!

Lasagna is my favorite and due to being Celiac, allergic to cow dairy, and allergic to basil…well, you get the picture. NO LASAGNA for years!! I was sure I never would have it again.

This recipe solves 2 of my 3 allergen concerns. If you can recommend a substitute for basil then I can try this and hopefully enjoy my favorite dish once again. Any chance a substitute is possible for basil without ruining the yummy flavor?

Hiya! I’ve been slowly introducing my parents to the Paleo lifestyle and have been finding recipes I think they’d enjoy! I’d love to cook this tomorrow for them!! It looks absolutely delicious. One thing though; my mother and I don’t normally like mushrooms. Is there anything else we can substitute in their place?
Thank you for the recipe!

Oh my! Just made this tonight and my whole family loved it. We all had seconds! I was amazed that I did not miss the pasta or cheese one bit. It tastes better than my traditional lasagna, which I use to love, prior to going Paleo. I had also tried your One Skillet Paleo Mediterranean Chicken recipe, which has become one of my favorites as well. Will no doubt be checking out more of your fabulous recipes. Thank you very much!

Trina, I just can’t say it enough! Your recipes are out of this world! Yesterday I made both your marinara and your cashew cheese yesterday so I can assemble some “lasagna-like” meals for the next few days (I will use sautéed spiralized zucchini) and I can NOT believe how wonderful both turned out. Your marinara recipe is spot on and that cashew cheese, oh my goodness, is absolutely amazing. I am blown away with how raw cashews combined with almond milk and a few spices can produce such a wonderful creamy and tasty mixture that would leave anyone fooled it wasn’t a dairy product. So crazy good. I am so excited to try this recipe with the non-Paleo peeps in my life…I know the meal will end with them learning that Paleo food is absolutely wonderful and perhaps plant that little seed in their mind that maybe, perhaps, Paleo is the way to go. I’ll say it again, your website is totally my go-to recipe website- I’ve NEVER been disappointed! Thanks Trina!

Carrie, I can’t tell you how much your message means to me. I really started this blog for people like “us”. I wanted recipes to bring people back to the site and to educate that paleo is just real food. Taking out all the chemicals and additives just makes food better. The cashew cheese is a nod to the vegan community. They have been using it for as a cheese sub for years and I thought why not with lasagna? I so happy to hear you are enjoying the recipes and I appreciate you taking the time to let me know. xo

Hi Trina! My lasagna is in the oven now and I’m so excited to try it out! Since it’s just my boyfriend and I it’ll go a long way this week. I was wondering if you happen to know any guesstimate on the nutrition facts about this dish?

Sorry, I don’t. It’s loaded with lots of great veggies and healthy fat. That’s all I know. As of right now, I’m not tracking nutritional values on my recipes, although I might in the future. Hope you enjoyed! :)

Hi, I have one question regarding the cashew ‘cheese.’ Do I drain the water or do I use it with the water. I intend to make it today, but I don’t want it too watery. Thank you for all your help!
Annleasa

Very Good! My husband who hates zucchini said it was better than the regular lasagna and I make a pretty good regular lasagna. The only thing I am going to try next time is use some season salt or regular salt on the zucchini as I thought they needed a little something. If I try this, I don’t plan on going overboard as it could get too salty just a little extra.

Wow! This lasagna is incredible! Couldn’t believe it’d taste better than the traditional until I tried it.
Prep time was an exhausting hour and forty-five minutes (not thirty) plus an hour in the oven, but we knew it’d be a project.
Either way, we were more than satisfied with the result. :) Thanks for posting!
I also posted a picture of it and reviewed it on my blog, if you want to check it out.

Trina, I will make this today…can’t wait! I’ve made my own version for years…with a twist. When I can’t keep up with the zucchini from our garden, I slice it length-wise 1/4″ wide strips and freeze them. Upon thawing, most of the liquid is then removed and I just squeeze out the remaining liquid. I don’t have to add the tomato paste to thicken the sauce. And I don’t have to pay for the price of organic zucchini :) You can save the liquid as a base for homeade vegetable stock. I do the same thing with tomatoes when making sauce or salsa. When thawed, the skins slip right off, you squeeze the seeds out, save the broth for soup and you’re left with just tomato meat.

The title of this recipe is on point. This lasagna is AWESOME! You won’t miss a traditional lasagna after you’ve had it. My kids loved it and we all could have gone for seconds or thirds. Had to hold back from cleaning the tray so we could have left overs the next day. So glad we have will power. It was even better the next day. Your recipes never disappoint.

Jen, I’m dancing over here! You rock! Thank you so much. I’m especially happy the kids loved it. I have a soft spot for kids because they tell the truth about how they like certain recipes, and for their mom’s that care enough to prepare them healthy nutritious meals. YOU are doing it right girl! :)

This recipe was AMAZING! I have been dairy free for 4 months thanks to my nursing baby and then I did whole30 and now pretty much have the whole family doing Paleo. I made a traditional lasagna and this one for our sons baptism and most of those eating were not Paleo and at first they thought I was crazy but ended up liking this more than the homemade traditional one! This could easily be a weekly meal for me, only problem was it was so good I wanted to eat about 5 servings! Thank you for sharing and introducing me to cashew cheese!

Monica, I love your message! I really think this lasagna surprises people. And I love when it does! Thank you for giving it a try. You can expect more recipes from me using “nut cheeses” in the future. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to comment and I’m really happy you like it! :)

Well…I didn’t see the “print” button on the recipe. I saw the one below it… After my printer spit out 100+ pages of blank paper and I finally got it to delete the print project…THEN I saw where I was supposed to click print. ARGH!! Trying this recipe tonight… Sure hope it goes better than the print part of it did LOL!!

As we all know, lasagna is not a quick meal even when its not paleo. I would say this takes the equal amount of time. Probably 30 min or so to prepare, then bake time. It’s all in the prep, but so worth it!

Jodie, I’m glad you tried and liked our lasagna! You made this little Italian girl smile. It’s a favorite of mine and is a great recipe when you’re craving comforting Italian food! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. :)

I made this last night and it was SOOOO good!! I am new to paleo and do it loosely since I eat dairy and cane sugar. I don’t have dietary restrictions so it is my way to keep my eating healthy. However, so many recipes I have tried taste good, but not like the original comfort food that I am wanting. This tasted just like lasagna! I did add extra beef because it came with 12 oz and I didn’t want to waste it. I didn’t make the cashew cheese I just used 16 oz of ricotta and added the spices you suggested for the cheese. I also added a layer of eggplant on half to use one up and it tasted great too! My husband loved it and he doesn’t eat paleo. I am going to make it when I have family come to visit next month because I generally take a break and eat regular food with them to keep them happy but they won’t be able to tell the difference and will love this! I am also going to try making it and freezing it before we have our baby in December. Thank you soo much for the recipe.

Jamie, I’m so glad you liked the recipe. I agree, it’s a great primal paleo recipe as well. The ricotta cheese you added was what I would have added in my pre paleo days. The best news it that your non paleo husband loved it! That works for me! Heathy is always better, and if your family likes it just the same its a win for everyone! Happy baby days in December! :)

This looks great – going to try it this weekend! I noticed you didn’t salt the zucchini “noodles” in advance to drain some of the moisture out of them. Is there risk of the lasagna ending up too watery or is it just fine because of baking it uncovered?

I made this for dinner last night and it turned out fantastic. My wife who is not a paleo person loved it and said she could eat the ricotta mixture as a snack. Your recipes have been bookmarked and I will embark on some new meals as I go. Thank you :)
~Fisa

Hi Trina! I made the lasagna recipe for the first time last week and it was AMAZING! I simply was amazed how delicious it was, not to mention, my husband LOVED it! What a creative way to use the cashews. It made the dish very creamy! I will be making this again very soon! I also made the tortillas for tacos and loved it. Thank you so much for the wonderful recipes. :)

Trina i am more of a visual learner when it comes to recipes, perhaps you could post a video on youtube of how you make this wonderful looking dish? Especially the “cheese” i read your instructions and i know im gonna mess it up.

I have no words, this recipe is AMAZING. I can get my pasta fix without feeling all weird after eating cheese and wheat. The combination of tomatoes, sauce and paste make the sauce super delicious! I love that the cashew cheese is mixed with spinach and the touch of mushrooms. Thank you sooooooo much for this recipe, I Will be making this again and again!

Syl, thank you so much for your kind review! One of best parts about the recipe is how great you feel after right? Thank you trying it! I also dig the sauce like you do. You pretty much made my day, brought a big smile to my face :)

This lasagna is amazing!! My husband couldn’t believe there wasn’t any cheese in it. :) Sometimes it’s frustrating to follow a recipe from the internet, it almost never end up how you pictured it. But your recipes work perfectly! All your recipes that I’ve tried were delicious! This is now officially my favorite paleo recipes website!!

Denise! What a nice compliment! Thank you so much! I read it earlier in the day and can say it just made me smile. Bloggers like me work hard to create recipes for people just like you. Thank you so much for your kind words. :)

Wow, this was fabulous! I’ve never tried nut cheese before, but my son is dairy free (among other things), and I wanted us all to be able to enjoy dinner together. I was so impressed by the “ricotta.” I did use Jovial rice lasagna noodles, and served it “deconstructed”–just layered everything on our plates so I didn’t have to heat up the oven. It was truly delicious. My husband is wild about your sauce, and I have to agree it’s the best I’ve ever made. Thank you!

Alison, thank you so much for such a great review! I was also surprised with the nut cheese when I made it and now I’m working on several recipes that include it like “cheesecake”. Thanks for taking a chance and I’m so glad your family enjoyed it. :)

This is by far the best lasagna recipe I have ever made/had. I couldn’t go without giving you a BIG THANK YOU for that! It is so hearty, very tasty and satisfying. I didn’t make any major changes, except used more meat (full lb of beef instead of 1/2). I used 1 full bag of fresh spinach instead of the frozen and flax milk instead of almond (bc I had it avail. and didn’t want to buy a whole carton of almond milk for 1/2 cup). Everything about this dish came together beautifully, but the cashew cheese did the trick for me. It was so creamy and delicious. I am making it again this week but this time, I think I may just throw the mushrooms in the sauce so as not to dirty another pan and make it even easier! Thanks again Trina!

Gosh, I can’t thank you enough for your review! I’m sure it was wonderful! I’m glad you liked it with the cashew cheese. I think it’s what makes it so creamy and satisfying. Definitely a staple at our house. All I can say is you just put a big smile on my face! Thanks for taking the time to comment. :)

Oh my goodness… We started eating Paleo-style last week and I’ve been missing some hearty meals, so this was just what I needed – it. is. fantastic!!! I can’t get over how delicious it is without cheese and noodles! Well done, Paleo Newbie, well done! :)

Hi Rachel! Wow. Thank you so much! I’v said it before, this is truly one of my favorite recipes. I love serving up to my non paleo friends because they are always surprised how much they love it. Your kind words mean a lot. It brought a big smile to my face. :)

This recipe is what I’ve been looking for! I got all the ingredients ready to make it tonight and realized I didn’t soak the cashews over night :/ is there any trick you might have that can help me still make this?

Diana, I know there is a debate about this. Iv heard both sides. I have them once in a while. Here’s a bit of info that might help. :)http://www.marksdailyapple.com/is-it-primal-8-foods-scrutinized/#axzz2rEZ5eu9H

I made this last night and it’s FREAKING DELICOUS! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love the creamy texture the cashews add. This is a great comfort food without the calories and gluten. It’s filling but not heavy. Great work!

Do I soak the cashews for a full 24 hours? I have never made nut cheese before and want to get it right! I am a few months into Paleo and was just thrown the monkey wrench of being intolerent to eggs (which is so hard on paleo!!) and also all dairy. My mom is Italian and I miss so many of her dishes! I’m hoping this helps fill the void!!

Gina, I’m sure a few hours would be ok. It’s to soften the cashews for a more creamy “cheese”. I really think you will find this is a great substitute for dairy. I sure missed lasagna until I came up with this one. I hope you like it! :)

I made it in a 8×8 instead of a 9×12 pan because it’s just my husband and I. The leftovers were awesome! I would say it made 6 good size servings. I’m sure you could easily half it, but once you taste it, you might regret not having more. :)

I made this lasagna (or a close proximity- I didn’t have sausage!) It was fabulous! I think what I liked best is the guilt free feeling of no cheese!! To be 100% honest, I have been eating it for a few days and I feel wonderful- not bloated or over full and it is definitely a guilt free way to eat!!!! Can’t wait to try some more recipes. I just went and bought some sweet potatoes…thanks, Trina for giving me a jump start on my “diet”!

Jac, you are so awesome for trying the recipe! Thank you so much for your support! I’m glad you liked it and the nice thing about the recipe is you can use it as a base to add the ingredients you love. Thank YOU for inspiring me! :)